🍼 Age-based baby guide

Week 11: Many babies are turning into very social little explorers – they watch you with bright eyes, flash big grins, practise coos and squeaks, wave their arms and legs with more control, and then suddenly crash into sleep once their busy brain and tummy have done enough for the moment.

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Key points

Quick scan

Around eleven weeks, lots of babies have a few calm-awake windows where they quietly scan the room, follow faces or simple toys for a short time, and then fuss when they need a change of pace or a cuddle.
Social smiles are often easier to spot now, and many babies start to “chat” more – cooing, squeaking, or gurgling when you talk, sing, or copy their sounds, as if they are holding their side of a tiny conversation.
Feeding is still a big part of the day, but some parents notice their baby latches faster, drinks in a steadier rhythm, and sometimes has slightly longer pauses between some feeds, especially if there are a couple of busier playtimes.
Many babies move with more strength now, waving their arms and legs with purpose, bringing their hands towards their mouth, and sometimes briefly holding or batting at a light toy placed in their hand.
Crying may still show up in strong bursts, often later in the day when babies are tired or overstimulated, and simple comforts like holding, rocking, dimming the lights, or stepping into a quieter room can make a big difference.
Short playtimes are becoming more fun and two-way: your baby may stare at their own hands as a favourite “toy”, enjoy the same silly song on repeat, or light up when they see your familiar face leaning into view.

Feeding

Guide

At around week 11 many babies still feed often during both day and night, and responsive feeding – offering breast or bottle when they stir, root, or suck on their hands – usually fits well with their small stomach and steady growth.
Some parents find that feeds feel a bit more organised now, with their baby settling into a comfortable position, sucking and swallowing in a smooth pattern, then relaxing their fists, shoulders, and face as their tummy fills and they feel satisfied.
Regular wet nappies, soft poos, and routine weight checks with a midwife, health visitor, or paediatrician are often looked at together to see how feeding is going over time, alongside how alert and content the baby seems after most feeds.

Sleep

Guide

At eleven weeks many babies still sleep for a large part of each 24 hours, usually in lots of short stretches, and it is common for nights to include several wakes for feeds, warmth, or reassurance, even if one stretch is starting to feel a bit longer.
Parents are often advised to place their baby on their back in a clear, flat sleep space in the same room as an adult, keeping pillows, duvets, and soft toys away from the baby’s face and keeping the room smoke-free to support safer sleep while nights are still broken.
Some families gently keep daytime naps in normal light and everyday sounds, and make night-time care calm, low-light, and fairly brief, which can slowly help babies link bright, chatty times with day and quieter, snuggly times with night without a strict timetable.

Pee and Pooping

Guide

By this stage many babies have a familiar rhythm of wet nappies and soft poos that might be mustard yellow, brown, or slightly green, and loud squirts or very serious “poo faces” are still everyday sights in many homes.
Some babies poo several times a day, while others poo less often but in larger amounts, and parents usually know their baby’s usual pattern well and can spot changes – like suddenly going much more or much less – quite quickly.
If wet or dirty nappies suddenly become very rare, or if you notice very pale poo, blood, or other changes that worry you, you are encouraged to contact your midwife, health visitor, paediatrician or local emergency service.

Learning

Guide

Around week 11 many babies are practising early communication skills, such as holding eye contact for a little longer, smiling in response to your smile, and making soft coos or squeaks when you talk, which all help them learn that you are someone who answers their signals.
A few times a day, for a few minutes when your baby is calm and awake, you might sing a favourite song, repeat a simple rhyme, or slowly move a high-contrast toy or your face from side to side so they can follow with their eyes, then pause when they look away or start to fuss.
Short, watched bits of tummy time on your chest, across your lap, or on a firm surface help your baby practise lifting and turning their head and using their arms, and weaving this in for a song or story’s length a few times a day gently builds strength for later rolling and sitting.

Sources

This content is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, contact your midwife, health visitor, paediatrician, or local emergency service.